'Homer Blanky' Inspired By Minnesota Twins, Cold Weather
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A love of baseball, Minnesota pride and – of course – the weather has inspired two local brothers, along with six of their childhood friends, to create a warm and fuzzy new product.
It's called the "Homer Blanky" and the name is a play on the "Homer Hanky," which is a staple from the World Series. Brothers Paul and John Abdo helped make it happen.
"It was kinda like a rally cry for the World Series, you know. We grew up, long lifetime Minnesota Twins fans, we got our own from the World Series back in '87 and '91," said John Abdo of Homer Blanky.
A hanky is great to show support for the team, but in an outdoor stadium, will do little more than keep your ballpark hotdog warm.
"Being that it is Minnesota, we've got some early spring and some late summer and fall games that it would really make sense to bring an idea of rallying the fan base around a something that you could use every day," said John Abdo.
The creators say that the Homer Blanky is multi-purpose, great for a picnic at the park, out at the lake, or of course at a ballgame and it will still keep you warm -- even if you're a White Sox fan.
But the core inspiration, reflected in the Blanky's design, is Minnesota pride.
"We wanted it to be very hometown, very Minnesotan, and nothing is more Minnesotan than the State of Minnesota, everybody has a lot of pride that lives here," said Paul Abdo.
The Homer Blanky costs $19.99 and is sold exclusively online at HomerBlanky.com. Five percent of the profits go to the charity called Breakthrough St. Paul, which helps motivated students overcome adversity to prepare for college.
